Ahhh ... new cables and other random thoughts

Before yesterday's ride, a short one in Horse Gulch, up Telegraph, down Ansazi, out Mike's and back
the Meadow, I replaced the shifter cables and housing on my bike. I was slow, recovering from a long
road ride the day before (yeah I know, road ... hell ... paved) but my shifting was so, so sweet.
Gone are the sh*tty Avid cables and rollamajig (I really thought it helped, I think I was wrong),
gone are the missed and noisy shifts, just nice new friction free shifting, or as close to friction
free as I've been for a while. What a nice change, to celebrate I went and bought a new pump because
I discovered my old one, probably 6-8 years old, has just plain quit working. The new one should get
me back on the bike with better pressure sooner than ever.

I was so excited I decided to watch my from Marzocchi in action as I rode. Avoid this, it is working
whether you watch it or not. I like cuts and scrapes as much as the next guy, but there are better
ways to get them.

I've already responded to Mrs. V. (Teri) about my social and pleasant interactions with the hikers I
saw. I can honestly say that I have never had any other kind of interaction with hiker, horse person
or other biker in the 10+ years I've been on the trails. I think it is just like riding, you go
where you look, if you look for bad, that is all you'll find. (Sorry, I'm not usually that deep, but
I've found this analogy very useful lately). Remember, we all have a responsibility to promote our
sport as we wish it to be seen.

Buy shoes that fit. My new road shoes are painful after 20 miles, which means that lately I have 30
more miles of pain. I don't know how you do this, but my LBS says they will sell me a pair and if
they suck, let me try a different pair. Sometimes, the extra money at the LBS is worth it.

Earth day is coming up, on Saturday the 19th is Trails 2000's first trail maintenance session of the
year. I don't expect to see you all there, but if you can make it, (or your local trails group) you
should try. It really is enjoyable, your helping our cause and the trails and meeting like minded
people. I may not make it myself, but I will make several this year, I promise.
--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado

 

"Craig Brossman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:HkCla.735$Zy5.2649898[email protected]...
| Before yesterday's ride, a short one in Horse Gulch, up Telegraph, down Ansazi, out Mike's and
| back the Meadow, I replaced the shifter cables and housing on my bike. I was slow, recovering from
| a long road ride the day before (yeah I know, road ... hell ... paved) but my shifting was so, so
| sweet. Gone are the sh*tty Avid cables and rollamajig (I really thought it
helped,
| I think I was wrong), gone are the missed and noisy shifts, just nice new friction free shifting,
| or as close to friction free as I've been for a while. What a nice change, to celebrate I went and
| bought a new pump because I discovered my old one, probably 6-8 years old, has just plain quit
working.
| The new one should get me back on the bike with better pressure sooner
than
| ever.
|
| I was so excited I decided to watch my from Marzocchi in action as I rode. Avoid this, it is
| working whether you watch it or not. I like cuts and scrapes as much as the next guy, but there
| are better ways to get them.
|
| I've already responded to Mrs. V. (Teri) about my social and pleasant interactions with the hikers
| I saw. I can honestly say that I have never had any other kind of interaction with hiker, horse
| person or other biker
in
| the 10+ years I've been on the trails. I think it is just like riding, you go where you look, if
| you look for bad, that is all you'll find. (Sorry,
I'm
| not usually that deep, but I've found this analogy very useful lately). Remember, we all have a
| responsibility to promote our sport as we wish it
to
| be seen.
|
| Buy shoes that fit. My new road shoes are painful after 20 miles, which means that lately I have
| 30 more miles of pain. I don't know how you do this, but my LBS says they will sell me a pair and
| if they suck, let me
try
| a different pair. Sometimes, the extra money at the LBS is worth it.
|
| Earth day is coming up, on Saturday the 19th is Trails 2000's first trail maintenance session of
| the year. I don't expect to see you all there, but
if
| you can make it, (or your local trails group) you should try. It really is enjoyable, your helping
| our cause and the trails and meeting like minded people. I may not make it myself, but I will make
| several this year, I promise.
| --
| Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado
|
|

I can believe you wholeheartedly about those Avid cables. IMHO, the only worthwhile part out of the
whole system is the carbon cable housing, and you can get that from a bunch of other sources now a
lot cheaper without having to throw out the crappy cables.

After trying all sorts of cables, I still come back to the Shimano stainless steel cables (the black
Teflon XTR sort) and plain, clean housings with normal ferrules - all replaced when they get too
gunked up.

The rollamajig does actually help in certain situations (top routed cables, especially if it is
routed over the top of the seat stay.) but otherwise it's just a neato doohickey. I do consider the
older, alloy version to be superior to the newer plastic ones.

I'm actually drifting away from clipless pedals now, preferring high quality BMX platforms and
hiking boots. Seems more fun that way for some reason.

---
__o _`\(,_ Cycling is life, (_)/ (_) all the rest, just details. Nelson Binch =^o.o^=
http://intergalax.com

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.470 / Virus Database: 268 -
Release Date: 4/8/2003

 

> After trying all sorts of cables, I still come back to the Shimano
stainless
> steel cables (the black Teflon XTR sort) and plain, clean housings with normal ferrules - all
> replaced when they get too gunked up.

I'm going to try those nifty Nokon aluminum housing next...

-John Morgan

 

Craig Brossman wrote:

> Gone are the sh*tty Avid cables and rollamajig (I really thought it helped, I think I was wrong),

Ohh Ohh! If you are done with it I'll take it! A Rollamajig is the second to last thing I'm looking
for to finish out my Beer'Cross.... I'll pay the postage! Especially if'n it's red!-)

 

Nelson Binch wrote:

> I'm actually drifting away from clipless pedals now, preferring high quality BMX platforms and
> hiking boots. Seems more fun that way for some reason.

MMMMMM platforms... I only like clipless on rough, fast trails now. Platforms are a hoot but
shinguards are a must.

 

John, I have a red one on the bike I'm going to build a single speed out of. Email me your address
and I will send it out.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado

"John G" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Craig Brossman wrote:
>
> > Gone are the sh*tty Avid cables and rollamajig (I really thought it
helped,
> > I think I was wrong),
>
> Ohh Ohh! If you are done with it I'll take it! A Rollamajig is the second to last thing I'm
> looking for to finish out my Beer'Cross.... I'll pay the postage! Especially if'n it's red!-)

 

On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 01:08:33 GMT, "Craig Brossman" <[email protected]> scribbled:

>John, I have a red one on the bike I'm going to build a single speed out of. Email me your address
>and I will send it out.

At the risk of learning something, what exactly do these things do?

-Slash
--
"Ebert Victorious"

- The Onion

 

"Slash" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 01:08:33 GMT, "Craig Brossman" <[email protected]> scribbled:
>
> >John, I have a red one on the bike I'm going to build a single speed out of.
Email
> >me your address and I will send it out.
>
> At the risk of learning something, what exactly do these things do?
>
> -Slash
> --
> "Ebert Victorious"
>
> - The Onion
It is a little roller or "pulley" which replaces the loop near your rear derailure. It is
supposed to reduce the friction in the cable and housing because you no longer have the loop, you
have this roller.

http://www.mtbreview.com/reviews/Extras/product_20952.shtml

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado

 

On Fri, 11 Apr 2003 12:59:40 -0400, "Nelson Binch" <[email protected]> wrote:

(snip excellent RR/ER)

>
>After trying all sorts of cables, I still come back to the Shimano stainless steel cables (the
>black Teflon XTR sort) and plain, clean housings with normal ferrules - all replaced when they get
>too gunked up.

I, on the other hand, am replacing my teflon coated cables. Get some form of degreaser or other
cleaning chemicals on it, and it'll turn to goo. Causing sever binding at the rear der...This after
only 6 mth's of use.

>
>I'm actually drifting away from clipless pedals now, preferring high quality BMX platforms and
>hiking boots. Seems more fun that way for some reason.

This is my standard riding apparel. Has been since the late 50's!

Dave
>
>
>---
> __o _`\(,_ Cycling is life, (_)/ (_) all the rest, just details. Nelson Binch =^o.o^=
> http://intergalax.com
>
>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.470 / Virus Database: 268 -
>Release Date: 4/8/2003

 

On Fri, 11 Apr 2003 14:07:48 -0500, Dick <[email protected]> wrote:

>Nelson Binch wrote:
>
>> I'm actually drifting away from clipless pedals now, preferring high quality BMX platforms and
>> hiking boots. Seems more fun that way for some reason.
>
>MMMMMM platforms... I only like clipless on rough, fast trails now. Platforms are a hoot but
>shinguards are a must.

Agreed!

 

Slash <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 01:08:33 GMT, "Craig Brossman" <[email protected]> scribbled:
>
> >John, I have a red one on the bike I'm going to build a single speed out of. Email me your
> >address and I will send it out.
>
> At the risk of learning something, what exactly do these things do?
>
> -Slash

If I am not mistaken, it makes that 180-degree bend "smoother" by having a rolling component at the
bend, instead of mere motionless housing.

Yeah, not a big fan of Avid cabling. The Jagwire stuff I bought (on close-out, natch) is working OK,
but we'll see how it holds up.

Maybe Shimano teflon stainless steel in some nifty carbon-fiber housing...

Where does one get carbon-fiber housing? LOL!

Spider